A United Nations-backed meeting bringing together hundreds of scientists, government officials from developed and developing nations, and others to find a way to ensure the survival of oceans in the face of climate change kicked off Monday in Paris.

Drawing such participants as Prince Albert II of Monaco and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner, the five-day gathering, co-organized by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), will focus on the theme "Ensuring Survival, Preserving Life and Improving Governance."

This year's conference, the fifth such meeting since 2001, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the creation of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), as well as the International Year of Biodiversity.

It will examine issues including the impact of climate change on small island developing States and the challenges and opportunities for oceans after the Copenhagen Accord – signed by dozens of countries – was reached last December at the UN Climate Change Conference in the Danish capital.